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Sunday, September 25, 2011

"Theresa was such a pleasure to work with. Her calm and loyal demeanor will be something I will always remember. Of course, the most treasured thing is a friendship and that will never end!"

Ruth Winkel

This is just one of the many sentiments expressed as Theresa Ladd, after 19 1/2 years of loyal service, said her good-byes to Dutchman Christmas Tree Farms. It was a moment of sadness for all of us to see her go.

I only knew her for a a very brief period of time and most of our communication was via e-mail so I may not be the best person to express all she did for the Christmas tree farm. I can tell you what I do know. Her work was marked by a genuine caring for those around her and an exemplar professionalism.

This Christmas will be different than the last 19 on the farm. A member of the Dutchman Tree Farm family will not be here. We are thankful for all your years of service and ask God to bless your future wherever it may take you.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Just recently, I had to leave work immediately after a phone call to fly across the country to visit my dad whose life was hanging on a fraying thread. He had been admitted to the ICU with double pneumonia and a critical heart issue. The cause, smoking. Ever since I can remember my dad had a cigarette in his mouth. The only time he didn't light up was at church.
It took many years for his smoking to catch up with him, but little by little, cigarette by cigarette, his health deteriorated. He remained in the ICU sedated for weeks while doctors constantly checked on his precarious condition. I spent two weeks next to his lifeless form hoping and praying his time would not be then. Fortunately it wasn't. After many months of learning how to walk again and other intense rehab he was on the mend.
Like everyone else he was aware of the risks of smoking. Like many smokers he thought, "It won't happen to me". If he had really wanted to avoid this near death experience he could have put forth the effort to stop.
I do not hate smokers, but I believe my experience can help smokers understand the potential havoc this addiction can cause on loved ones. I could have lost him. Even though he has his issues, as we all do, he is my dad and losing him would have been devastating.
So what does this have to do with Christmas? The answer is quite simple.
Most people know over 1.3 million people world-wide are smokers and an average of 443,000 Americans die of smoking each year. But what many people do not know is 3.5 million people in the United States have lead poisoning.
Lead poisoning affects the central nervous system and red blood cells. Some statistics show that lead poisoning leads to mental retardation during pregnancy, reduced mental development as a child progresses and a reduction in the child IQ. Other symptoms include nausea, abdominal pain and chronic headaches. Studies have show that exposure to high amounts of lead is the predominant cause of anemia.
Why isn't there an aggressive campaign to combat lead poisoning as there is to stop smoking? Mathematically, the consequences of lead poisoning are more rampant than those of smoking.
PVC contains lead. California is considering a ban of the use of PVC in packaging because studies have shown PVC leeches (leaks) lead.
So the question I leave you, is why would you expose yourself and those you love to lead at Christmas by having a PVC (a.k.a. Artificial) Christmas Tree? My dad got lucky. Are you going to take a chance and risk your health and possibly your life?
I am sure when smoking was becoming popular the celebrities of the time were in cigarette ads. If you visit some of these artificial Christmas tree web-sites you will see some celebrities of our time. Do yourself a favor and think for yourself. Don't put yourself or those you love in danger because some celebrities face was on an ad.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Starting this month, September, I will be choosing a Fan of the Month on our Facebook Page. Yes, you do have to be a fan in order to win.

The Fan of the month will be elected by the content he or she posts to the Dutchman Tree FarmsFan Page during the month. I love pictures, videos, witty comments, Christmas brain teasers or anything Christmas related. The more the merrier and the chances of you winning increases. Tell your friends.

At the end of this month the winner will be awarded a Dutchman Tree Farms fan ball cap. If you don't win have no fear! You won't be 'boiled in your own pudding and buried with a stick of holly through your heart' (Name that quote). You will have another chance to win the following month. At the beginning of next month I will let you know what the prize will be.